Refrigeration system with purge and acid filter

ABSTRACT

Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from the refrigerant and an acid filter for remove acid from the refrigerant are provided. The acid filter can be operatively connected to the purge. Optionally, the purge can include a separating device for separating non-condensable gases from condensable refrigerant gases and an acid filter is provided to remove acid from the condensable refrigerant gases.

The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a refrigerationsystem. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a refrigerationsystem with a purge.

BACKGROUND

Refrigeration systems such as centrifugal chillers, utilize low pressurerefrigerants such as CFC-11, CFC-113, HCFC-123 and multi-pressurerefrigerants such as CFC-114 and HFC-245fa to operate at, e.g., lessthan atmospheric pressure, either at all times or under a set ofoperating or stand-down conditions. Since the chillers are operating atsubatmospheric pressures, air and moisture may leak into the machinethrough these low pressure areas. Once the air and moisture and othernon-condensables enter the chiller, the non-condensables accumulate inthe condenser portion of the chiller during machine operation. Thenon-condensable gases in the condenser reduce the ability of thecondenser to condense refrigerant, which in turn results in an increasedcondenser pressure, and thereby results in lower chiller efficiency andcapacity.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein are directed to refrigeration systemswith a purge and an acid filter and methods for servicing an acid filterconnected to a purge in a refrigeration system.

Purges have been used to expel non-condensables such as, for example,moisture, air and other non-condensables, from refrigerant chillerswhile minimizing the loss of chiller refrigerant in the process ofremoving such non-condensables and which can be operative independent ofthe operational status of the chiller with which it is used.Improvements may be made to purges used in refrigeration systems.

In one embodiment, a refrigeration system includes a compressor, acondenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The compressor, thecondenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator are fluidlyconnected to form a refrigeration circuit. A purge is fluidly connectedto the condenser to receive a chiller refrigerant flowing through therefrigeration system from the condenser. The purge is configured toremove one or more non-condensable gases from the chiller refrigerant.An acid filter is operatively connected to the purge and configured toremove one or more acids from the chiller refrigerant.

In one embodiment, a system for removing undesired materials from achiller refrigerant of a refrigeration system includes a purge includingan inlet to receive the chiller refrigerant from a condenser of therefrigeration system. The purge is configured to remove one or morenon-condensable gases from the chiller refrigerant. The purge furtherincludes an outlet to return the chiller refrigerant to therefrigeration system. An acid filter is fluidly connected to the purgeand configured to remove one or more acids from the refrigerant.

In one embodiment, a method of removing undesired materials from achiller refrigerant of a refrigeration system includes receiving thechiller refrigerant from a condenser of the refrigeration system,removing one or more non-condensable gases from the chiller refrigerant,and removing one or more acids from the chiller refrigerant.

In one embodiment, a method of servicing an acid filter of arefrigeration system, includes disconnecting the acid filter from alocation with a purge of the refrigeration system, removing the acidfilter from the location so as to make room for a new acid filer,placing the new acid filter in the location within the refrigerationsystem, and operatively connecting the new acid filter to the purge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a refrigerationsystem with a purge and an acid filter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a purge withan acid filter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a purge witha separation tank and an acid filter.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method for servicing an acidfilter included in a refrigeration system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein are directed to a refrigeration systemwith a purge and an acid filter.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a refrigeration system 100 with apurge 120 and one or more acid filters 130. The refrigeration system 100can be a chiller that provides chilled water for use in industrialprocesses or in the comfort conditioning of building structures. Asshown in FIG. 1, the chiller 100 is a centrifugal chiller that includesa condenser 112, an expansion device 114, an evaporator 116 and acompressor 118. The condenser 112, the expansion device 114, theevaporator 116 and the compressor 118 can be serially connected to forma hermetically sealed closed-loop chiller refrigeration circuit whichemploys a low pressure refrigerant. The low pressure refrigerant caninclude, for example, the refrigerants referred to as R123, R245fa, etc.The use of a low pressure refrigerant, at certain times and undercertain operating conditions, may result in portions of refrigerationsystem 100 being operated at less than atmospheric pressure.

Because certain components, including the evaporator 116 and, undercertain conditions, the condenser 112 of the chiller 100, operate at apressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, it is possible for air,moisture and other non-condensables to leak into the chiller. Thenon-condensables can include, for example, air, water and othernon-condensables, make their way to and become trapped in the condenser112 with the result that the condensing pressure and compressor powerrequirements increase thereby reducing chiller efficiency and coolingcapacity. It will be appreciated that the chiller 100 can also utilizemedium or high pressure refrigerants, and operate at or above theatmospheric pressure.

In order to remove the non-condensables, a purge 120 is employed withthe chiller 100. The purge 120 can be connected in a free-flowcirculatory relationship with the condenser 112 of the chiller 100 bysupply and return lines 120 a and 120 b, both of which open into a vaporspace within the condenser 112.

The refrigeration system 100 further includes one or more acid filters130 for removing acid from the refrigerant. Acid(s) can be produced as aresult of refrigerant degradation or lubricant degradation/circulation,or could be introduced from process chemicals or other systemcomponents. As shown in FIG. 1, the acid filter 130 is operativelyconnected to the purge 120. The filter 130 can be inside the purge 120.Optionally, the filter 130 can also be located outside the purge 120.The acid filter 130 can be a component of the purge 120. Optionally, theacid filter 130 can be embedded into one or more components of the purge120. Optionally, the acid filter 130 can be a separate unit.

The acid filter 130 can be a replaceable unit that is convenient forservicing. For example, the acid filter 130 can be removed from thepurge 120 or the refrigeration system 100 and be disposable in anenvironmentally friendly manner. A new acid filter can be inserted intothe purge 120 or the refrigeration system 100 to replace the old one.

As shown in FIG. 1, the acid filter 130 can be located at the supplyline 120 a for removing acid from the refrigerant drawn from thecondenser 112. The acid filter 130 can be located at the return line 120b for removing acid from the refrigerant directed back to the condenser112.

As shown in FIG. 1, a separation device 140 can be optionally includedand connected to the purge 120 for separating non-condensable gases fromcondensable gases, and the acid filter 130 is operatively connected tothe separation device 140 and the evaporator 116. It will be appreciatedthat the separation device 140 can be included in the purge 120.

The acid filter 130 includes one or more acid-removing materials toremove acid from the refrigerator from the condenser 112. The acid to beremoved includes, for example, inorganic acids such as hydrofluoric acidand hydrochloric acid, and/or organic acids such as carboxylic acidsfrom lubricants or other sources. In one embodiment, the acid filter 130includes a sacrificial material, for example, aluminum metal, zincmetal, and/or other reactive metals or reactive materials, which reactswith the acid and is disposable after an accumulation of the reactionproduct. In another embodiment, the acid filter 130 includes anacid-removing material such as, for example, ionic salts that can reactwith the acids to form benign products.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a purge 200 with one or moreacid filters 280. The purge 200 can remove non-condensables from therefrigerant of a refrigeration system, such as the refrigeration system100. The acid filter 280 can remove acid from the refrigerant.

The purge 200 can include an entirely separate and discrete hermeticrefrigeration circuit which may employ a purge refrigerant differentthan the chiller system refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant usedin the purge 200 can be a relatively high pressure refrigerant such as,for example, the refrigerant referred to as R-12, R-134a, R-410A,R-407A, R-407F, R-404, etc. It will be appreciated that the refrigerantused in the purge 200 can be any suitable refrigerant that can create alower evaporative temperature than the chiller refrigerant.

The purge 200 is connected in a free-flow circulatory relationship witha condenser, such as the condenser 112, of a refrigeration system, suchas the chiller 100, by supply and return lines 220 a and 220 b, both ofwhich open into a vapor space within a chiller condenser of therefrigeration system. Chiller refrigerant vapor can be drawn from thevapor space within the chiller condenser into the purge 200 through thesupply line 220 a. The chiller refrigerant entering the purge 200undergoes a heat exchange relationship with the purge refrigerantthrough the return line 220 b. The condensed chiller refrigerantoverflows into and is directed back to the chiller condenser.

The purge 200 includes a refrigerant compressor 222 which is a componentof a condensing unit 224. The condensing unit 224 also includes a fan226 and a heat exchanger coil 228 to which compressor 222 discharges hotcompressed purge refrigerant gas when the purge 200 is in operation.

The fan 226, when operating, causes ambient air to move through the coil228 in a heat exchange relationship with the purge system refrigerantpassing from the compressor 222 to and through the condenser coil 228.It will be appreciated that while the purge 200 may use an air-cooledpurge condensing unit, as it avoids the need to “hook-up” to a differentcooling source such as water, the condensing unit 224 could be cooled byan alternate cooling source.

The condensed purge refrigerant next leaves the coil 228 and passes toand through an expansion device 230. The expansion device 230, whichfunctions as a suction pressure regulator, reduces the temperature ofthe purge refrigerant to, for example, approximately 0° F. and maintainsit there by regulating the pressure of the purge refrigerant to a targetpressure.

The refrigerant next enters a purge cooling coil 234 within a purge tank232 through a purge coil inlet. The purge cooling coil 234 functions asan evaporator in the purge refrigeration circuit, by placing therelatively cold purge system refrigerant flowing therethrough into aheat exchange relationship with the relatively warm chiller systemrefrigerant vapor which is drawn into the purge tank 232. By thecondensing of the chiller system refrigerant on the purge cooling coil234, the removal of non-condensables from the chiller system refrigerantis accomplished internal of the purge tank 232.

After passing through the cooling coil 234 and being vaporized in a heatexchange-relationship with the chiller refrigerant in the purge tank232, the purge refrigerant flows out of the purge tank 232 through apurge coil outlet and back to the compressor 222. The temperature of therefrigerant gas passing from the coil 234 back to compressor 222 can besensed by a control switch 236 and can be used in controlling theoperation of the purge 200 and the removal of non-condensable elementssuch as air from the purge tank 232. The condensed chiller refrigerantis directed back from the purge tank 232 to the chiller condenser. Theconcept of the above process is further described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,564,564 and 5,031,410, the contents of each are incorporated herein byreference.

FIG. 2 also illustrates components of a pump-out portion of the purge200. The pump-out portion functions to remove non-condensable elementssuch as air and acid from the purge tank 232 and can include a solenoidvalve 238, a flow restrictor 240, such as a porous metal plug orcapillary tube, a pump-out compressor 242, and optionally an acid filter280. When the temperature of the purge system refrigerant returning tocompressor 222 from the purge coil 234 drops to a predetermined level,such as for example approximately 20° F. as sensed by the temperaturecontrol switch 236, a signal is generated by the temperature controlswitch 236 which is used to energize the solenoid 238 and the pump-outcompressor 242 which causes the evacuation of air from the purge tank234 through a pump-out process.

The acid filter 280 can be inside the purge 200. Optionally, the filter280 can be located outside the purge 200. The acid filter 280 can be acomponent of the purge 200. Optionally, the acid filter 280 can beembedded into one or more components of the purge 200. Optionally, theacid filter 280 can be a separate unit.

In one embodiment, when the acid filter 280 is connected to the pump-outportion, the non-condensables and condensable gases still flowing withthe non-condensable refrigerant gases are directed from the purge tank232 through the acid filter 280, where acid included in the gases isremoved by the acid filter 280. The filtered condensable refrigerant canbe returned to an evaporator, such as the evaporator 116, of therefrigeration system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the acid filter 280 can be located at the supplyline 220 a to remove acid from the chiller system refrigerant vaporwhich is drawn into the purge 200 from the vapor space in the chillercondenser. The acid filter 280 can also be located at the return line220 b to remove acid from the condensed chiller refrigerant directedback from the purge tank 232 to the chiller condenser. The supply line220 a and/or the return line 220 b can be engineered to include the acidfilter 280. In one embodiment, the diameters of the supply line 220 aand/or the return line 220 b can be increased to minimize the pressuredrop through the acid filter 280.

It will be appreciated that the acid filter 280 can be disposed at otherlocations to remove acid from the refrigerant of the refrigerationsystem.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic drawing of a purge 300 with a separationdevice and one or more acid filters 380. The purge 300 is configured toremove non-condensables from the refrigerant of a refrigeration system,such as the chiller system 313. The purge 300 is different from thepurge 200 in that the purge 300 further includes a separation device forseparating non-condensable gases from condensable gases, which will bedescribed further below. The acid filter 380 is configured to removeacid from the refrigerant. The acid filter 380 can be inside the purge300. Optionally, the filter 380 can be located outside the purge 200.The acid filter 280 can be a component of the purge 300. Optionally, theacid filter 280 can be embedded into one or more components of the purge300. Optionally, the acid filter 380 can be a separate unit.

The purge 300 is connected to a condenser 312 of the refrigerationsystem or the chiller system 313 by a supply line 314 and a return line316. Isolation valves 318 are included in each of the supply and returnlines 314, 316.

The purge 300 includes a separation device including a purge tank 320 towhich the supply line 314 and the return line 316 connect. The purgetank 320 is a sealed tank enclosing a heat exchanger acting as anevaporator 322. The evaporator 322 may be implemented as a copper coil323. The evaporator 322 can be a part of a second refrigeration system332 including the evaporator 322, a compressor 324, a condenser 326 andan expansion device 328 all serially linked by a refrigeration tubing330 into a refrigeration circuit to form the second refrigeration system332.

In some embodiments, the second refrigeration system 332 can include atemperature sensor 334 located in the tubing 330 in proximity to anoutlet 336 of the evaporator 322. A liquid temperature sensor 338 isprovided in the return line 316 to measure the temperature of liquidrefrigerant condensed by the evaporator 322 and being returned to thecondenser 312. In some embodiments, temperature information may beobtained from a temperature sensor (not shown) in a sump of thecondenser 312 when the chiller system 313 is on, and from an evaporatortemperature sensor (not shown) when the chiller system 313 is off.

In the embodiment shown, the purge tank 320 includes a float switch 340to measure and detect the accumulation of liquid refrigerant in a bottomarea 342 of the purge tank 320. The float switch 340 inhibits operationif liquid accumulates.

The purge tank 320 also includes a header space 344 wherenon-condensable gases accumulate after the operation of the evaporator322 condenses the condensable refrigerant gas into a liquid form. Thenon-condensable gases include, for example, air. The purge tank 320includes a header outlet 346 and a header outlet line 348 to allow thenon-condensable gases to be removed from the header space 344. Apump-out solenoid valve 350 is provided in the header line 348 tocontrol the removal of the non-condensable gases. A pump-out compressor352 is located in the header line 348 so as to provide a motivatingforce for the removal of the non-condensable gases from the header space344.

The header line 348 leads to a separation tank 360 filled with asubstance having an affinity for the condensable gases. In oneembodiment, the separation tank 360 is filled with an activated carbonhaving an affinity for many system refrigerants including, for exampleCFC-11, CFC-113 and HCFC-123. The separation tank 360 includes an inlet362, an outlet 364 and an electric heater 366 located within theseparation tank 360. The separation tank 360 is filled with carbon 368and a heat exchanger 370 is operatively connected between the heater 366and the carbon 368 to enhance the heat exchange relationshiptherebetween. The pH of the carbon 368 can be neutral or low. Theseparation tank 360 also includes a temperature sensor 372 to measurethe temperature within the separation tank 360 and control the operationof the electric heater 366. The outlet 364 of the separation tank 360includes connections to an exhaust line 381 under the control of anexhaust valve 382, to a pressure relief line 384 under the control of apressure relief device 386, and a second return line 388 under thecontrol of a regeneration valve 390 and an isolation valve 392. Thesecond return line 388 returns to an evaporator 394 of the chillersystem 313. The exhaust line 381 is connected to a chiller vent line oran area of safe exhaust 396.

In some embodiments, the purge tank 320 can include baffles 3100 and3102 respectively located in an upper area 3104 and a lower area 3106 ofthe purge tank 320. The baffles 3100, 3102 act to provide a controlledflow space for the condensable and non-condensable gases and a quietzone in the header space where the non-condensable gases may accumulate.In operation, the baffles 3100, 3102 also serve to direct the gases intoa condensing contact with the coil 323. The baffles 3100 and 3102 can bebraised, welded or otherwise affixed to the copper coil 323 of theevaporator 322 within the purge tank 320.

In operation, the purge 300 is turned on and the purge evaporator 322condenses the condensable refrigerant gas present in the purge tank 320,transforming or coalescing the condensable refrigerant gas into a liquidform which then returns through the return line 316 to the condenser 312of the chiller system 313. The partial vacuum created within the purgetank 320 causes more condensable and non-condensable gases to enterthrough the supply line 314 to the purge tank 320 where the condensablegases continue to condense into liquid form and return to the chillersystem 313. Eventually the header space 344 begins to fill withnon-condensable gases and begins to affect the efficiency and operationof the purge evaporator 322 as measured by the temperature sensor 334(or other detection means such as a pressure sensor or the like). Atsuch time, a pump-out cycle may be initiated. In the pump-out cycle, thenormally closed valve 350 and 382 are opened and the pump-out compressor352 is turned on to cause the non-condensable gases to flow out theheader line 348 into the separation tank 360. In the separation tank360, condensable gases that may still be flowing with thenon-condensable gases are attracted to the activated carbon 368 in theseparation tank 360 and bond thereto, leaving the purifiednon-condensable gases to flow out the now open exhaust valve 382 to thevent area 396.

Periodically, the accumulated condensables with their affinity for thecarbon 368 can be regenerated so that the carbon can be purified toimprove its efficiency and so that the refrigerant condensables may bereturned to the chiller system 313. This is accomplished by activatingthe electric heater 366 under the control of the temperature sensor 372.The addition of considerable heat and reduction of pressure to thecarbon 368 in the separation tank 360 acts to break the affinity betweenthe carbon 368 and the refrigerant gases. These gases are then drawnthrough the line 388 through the now open valve 390 and back to thechiller evaporator 394.

In one embodiment, the acid filter 380 can be located at the outlet 364of the separation tank 360. The non-condensable gases and/or theregenerated refrigerant condensables from the separation tank 360 can bedirected through the acid filter 380 to remove acid included therein.

The acid filter 380 can include a sacrificial material, for example,reactive metals such as aluminum or zinc metal(s), and/or other reactivemetals or other reactive materials. The sacrificial material can beplaced in the separation tank 360. The sacrificial material can last upto the lifetime of the purge. Optionally, additional sacrificialmaterial can be added as needed which can be determined by a controlalgorithm method. A microprocessor that is operatively connected to theacid filter 380 can be used to execute the control algorithm method. Thecontrol algorithm method can also determine whether the acid filter 380reaches its acid capacity and can be replaced after a pre-determinedduration of regeneration time.

Optionally, the acid filter 380 can be embedded into the carbon 368 toremove acid from the non-condensable gases and the condensable gasesflowing with the non-condensable gases. It will be appreciated that theacid filter 380 can be located at other positions downstream theseparation tank 360, for example, the line 381 and/or the line 388. Thefiltered refrigerant gases are directed into the evaporator 394.

Optionally, the acid filter 380 can be located upstream the separationtank 360. For example, the acid filter 380 is connected to the pump-outcompressor 352 to filter acid from the mixture of non-condensable andcondensable gases directed from the purge tank 320 and the filteredgases are directed to the separation tank 360.

Optionally, the acid filter 380 can be located at the supply line 314 toremove acid from the chiller system refrigerant vapor which is drawninto the purge 300 from the vapor space in the condenser 312. The acidfilter 380 can also be located at the return line 316 to remove acidfrom the condensed chiller refrigerant directed back from the purge tank320.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method 400 for servicing an acidfilter included in a refrigeration system. Optionally, at 410, a controlalgorithm determines whether an acid filter, such as the acid filter130, 280 and 380, that is operatively connected to a purge, such as thepurge 120, 200 and 300, reaches an acid capacity and can be replaced. Insome embodiments, the control algorithm can be executed by amicroprocessor that is operatively connected to the acid filter. Theacid filter can be replaced at predetermined periods. In one embodiment,the control algorithm can estimate the amount of the refrigerantintroduced to a separation tank, for example, the separation tank 360filled with carbon, and/or the amount of the refrigerant rejected from apurge, such as the purge 200 or 300, and trigger a regeneration of theseparation tank based on the estimation. After a pre-determined durationof regeneration time, the acid filter may reach its acid capacity andcan be replaced. The method 400 then proceeds to 420.

At 420, the acid filter is disconnected from a location with a purge ofthe refrigeration system. The method 400 then proceeds to 430.

At 430, the acid filter is removed from the location so as to make roomfor a new acid filer. The method 400 then proceeds to 440.

At 440, a new acid filter is placed in the location within therefrigeration system to replace the old acid filter. The method 400 thenproceeds to 450.

At 450, the new acid filter is operatively connected to the purge.

It is noted that any of aspects 1-17 below can be combined with any ofaspects 18-20.

1. A refrigeration system, comprising:

a compressor;

a condenser;

an expansion device;

an evaporator;

the compressor, the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporatorare fluidly connected to form a refrigeration circuit;

a purge fluidly connected to the condenser to receive a chillerrefrigerant flowing through the refrigeration system from the condenser,the purge configured to remove one or more non-condensable gases fromthe chiller refrigerant; and

an acid filter operatively connected to the purge, the acid filterconfigured to remove one or more acids from the chiller refrigerant.

2. The refrigeration system of aspect 1, further comprising a separationdevice operatively connected to the purge at a downstream position ofthe purge, the separation device configured to receive a mixture fromthe purge and separate the non-condensable gases and the chillerrefrigerant from the mixture.3. The refrigeration system of aspects 1-2, wherein the acid filter isfluidly connected to an outlet of the separation device and configuredto receive at least one of the non-condensable gases and the chillerrefrigerant from the separation device and remove the acids from thechiller refrigerant and the non-condensable gases.4. The refrigeration system of aspects 1-2, wherein the acid filter isfluidly connected to an inlet of the separation device.5. The refrigeration system of aspect 1, wherein the acid filter isdisposed within the purge.6. The refrigeration system of aspects 1-2, wherein the acid filter isdisposed within the separation device.7. The refrigeration system of aspect 1, wherein the acid filter islocated fluidly between the condenser and the purge.8. The refrigeration system of aspects 1-7, wherein the purge and thecondenser are fluidly connected via a supply line and a return line, andthe acid filter is located on at least one of the supply line and thereturn line.9. The refrigeration system of aspect 1, wherein the acid filterincludes a sacrificial material configured to react with the acids.10. The refrigeration system of aspects 1-9, wherein the sacrificialmaterial includes one or more reactive metals.11. The refrigeration system of aspects 1-10, wherein the reactivemetals includes at least one of aluminum metal and zinc metal.12. A system for removing undesired materials from a chiller refrigerantof a refrigeration system, comprising:

a purge including an inlet to receive the chiller refrigerant from acondenser of the refrigeration system, the purge configured to removeone or more non-condensable gases from the chiller refrigerant, thepurge further including an outlet to return the chiller refrigerant tothe refrigeration system; and

an acid filter fluidly connected to the purge and configured to removeone or more acids from the refrigerant.

13. The system of aspect 12, further comprising a separation deviceintegrated with the purge, the separation device configured to receive amixture from the purge and separate the non-condensable gases and therefrigerant from the mixture.14. The system of aspects 12-13, wherein the acid filter is fluidlyconnected to an outlet of the separation device, configured to receiveat least one of the non-condensable gases and the refrigerant and removeone or more acids from the non-condensable gases and the refrigerant.15. The system of aspects 12-13, wherein the acid filter is fluidlyconnected to an inlet of the separation device.16. The system of aspect 12, wherein the acid filter includes asacrificial material configured to react with the acids.17. The system of aspects 12-16, wherein the sacrificial materialincludes one or more reactive metals.18. A method of removing undesired materials from a chiller refrigerantof a refrigeration system, comprising:

receiving the chiller refrigerant from a condenser of the refrigerationsystem;

removing one or more non-condensable gases from the chiller refrigerant;and

removing one or more acids from the chiller refrigerant.

19. The method of aspect 18, wherein removing the acids from the chillerrefrigerant includes reacting the acids with a sacrificial material, thesacrificial material includes one or more reactive metals.20. A method of servicing an acid filter of a refrigeration system,comprising:

disconnecting the acid filter from a location with a purge of therefrigeration system;

removing the acid filter from the location so as to make room for a newacid filer;

placing the new acid filter in the location within the refrigerationsystem; and

operatively connecting the new acid filter to the purge.

21. The method of aspect 20, further comprising determining whether anacid filter reaches an acid capacity and can be replaced.

With regard to the foregoing description, it is to be understood thatchanges may be made in detail, especially in matters of the constructionmaterials employed and the shape, size and arrangement of the partswithout departing from the scope of the present invention. It isintended that the specification and depicted embodiment to be consideredexemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention beingindicated by the broad meaning of the claims.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A system for removing undesired materials from achiller refrigerant of a refrigeration system, comprising: a purgeincluding an inlet to receive the chiller refrigerant from a condenserof the refrigeration system, the purge configured to remove one or morenon-condensable gases from the chiller refrigerant, the purge furtherincluding an outlet to return the chiller refrigerant to therefrigeration system; and an acid filter fluidly connected to the purgeand configured to remove one or more acids from the refrigerant.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, further comprising a separation device integratedwith the purge, the separation device configured to receive a mixturefrom the purge and separate the non-condensable gases and therefrigerant from the mixture.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein theacid filter is fluidly connected to an outlet of the separation device,configured to receive at least one of the non-condensable gases and therefrigerant and remove one or more acids from the non-condensable gasesand the refrigerant.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the acid filteris fluidly connected to an inlet of the separation device.
 16. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the acid filter includes a sacrificialmaterial configured to react with the acids.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the sacrificial material includes one or more reactive metals.18. A method of removing undesired materials from a chiller refrigerantof a refrigeration system, comprising: receiving the chiller refrigerantfrom a condenser of the refrigeration system; removing one or morenon-condensable gases from the chiller refrigerant; and removing one ormore acids from the chiller refrigerant.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein removing the acids from the chiller refrigerant includesreacting the acids with a sacrificial material, the sacrificial materialincludes one or more reactive metals.
 20. A method of servicing an acidfilter of a refrigeration system, comprising: disconnecting the acidfilter from a location with a purge of the refrigeration system;removing the acid filter from the location so as to make room for a newacid filer; placing the new acid filter in the location within therefrigeration system; and operatively connecting the new acid filter tothe purge.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising determiningwhether an acid filter reaches an acid capacity and can be replaced.